100 new species of insects found in Okinawa City

An environmental research in Takiyamabaru, a forested area in northern Okinawa City, that has been ongoing since 2012, has yielded about 100 species of insects never seen before.

A specialist involved in the research explains that the reason is because Takiyamabaru is located in a buffer zone near U.S. Kadena Air Base ammunition depot isolated from other parts of the city, and consequently, rare species of insects have been living in the area without being noticed.

The Municipal Folk Museum of Okinawa City is planning to have an exhibition featuring the newly discovered specimens to display them to the public.